From Benjamin Bow[er]man, to his brother Abial
Bowerman - 21 10 1839
[Color background added by webmaster for easier reading]
Original documents courtesy of L. Bowman Sturtevant,
Yarmouth, ME.
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Envelope
mo
St Albans 10th 21st 1839
Respected brother I received thy
letter
last fifth day wich was very acceptable
I had given up ever hearing from thee
about buying a farm I made up my mind
to have to stay here alone but there seems
to be a prospect of having one of my
brothers to come near me and I hope I
shall not be disappointed the farm that
I have looked out for thee consists of 65
or 70 acres of good land I will try to give
thee an account of the place so thee can
see how it lies as near as I can it lies
on a cross road that is laid out in to
two other settlers this is the first
one on the road the land joins mine on
the east our houses are about one hundred
rods from each other the farm lies of a
gradual desent to the south and east
the place is principally cleared except
a wood lot that is hard wood and Hemlo
ck the Hemlock is
suitable for building
it has cut about 15 tons of hay this summer
besides a considerable that was sowed and
planted with a good pasture and a barn 30
by 36 a decent barn the roof is well
shingled the house not much amount a good
well of water near the house with a small
brook running through the pasture the man
that owns it is at work in the town of
Stetson 18 miles from here and I
Page 2
took my horse and
rode over to see him yesterday
to see whether he would sell and on what
conditions he said he should like to sell it
I told him I wanted to know somewhere near
what he would take he told me 6,00 dollars
but I think he would take some less I did
not try to beat him down for hes said he
wanted to know whether thee had it or
not this fall and I have got the refusal
of it for 3 weeks I think thee had better
come down as soon as thee gets my letter
he wants 4,00 dollars down the rest
one half in one year the
other in two years the expence of thy coming
need not be great come to Daniel Giffords
in Sidney tell him to carry thee up to
Fairfield and make them bring you here
I will carry thee where thee takes thee
water again I would meet thee at Hallo
well if I knew when thee would bee there
there is other farms for sale but I think
this would most be thee most likely to suit but
thee can see for
thy self when thee comes as
for the carpentering business I don't know of
much in our neighbourhood at present but
I think thee could find work when thee had leisure from
thy farm with out going far as for the prof
it of farming I think there is something to be made
more than a bare
living often any one gets and
may the hay thee cut would bring
the considerable though it is rather low this year
but it has been a good [... article?] since I have
lived here till this year I think it will
be again and that before long
Page 3
I dont know what
more that is needful for me to write
when thee comes I will tell thee the rest if there is any thing
I dont want thee sould make a long visit at Fairfield for
it will be late before thee will get back if thee can get
here in the course of 3 weeks that will answer and as much sooner
as thee can now I want thee should start right of as soon as
thee gets this wthout fail. I guess it will puzlle thee to find it
out for my pen is poor and my old knife is dull So I
believe I wont write [a]ny more about Farming th[is]
time we are all well and hope these Ramblings will
find thee same I remain thy wellwishing brother
